You’ve prayed. You’ve believed. You’ve waited.
But the situation still looks the same.
No shift. No breakthrough. No visible change.
So you start thinking…
Is it just not time yet?
Or is there something I’m missing?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
The Verse (KJV)
“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by… and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy… and sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason… Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said… Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, he said unto the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them… and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”
Luke 5:17–26
The Power Was Already There
“…the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”
This is easy to miss.
Healing power was already present before anything happened.
Jesus is teaching. The atmosphere is set.
But not everyone receives.
That raises a question.
If the power is present… what determines who actually steps into it?
Do you see the gap?
They Didn’t Wait For An Opening
“…men brought in a bed a man…”
This man can’t get to Jesus on his own.
So others carry him.
Faith here isn’t passive.
It moves. It carries. It acts.
Galatians 6:2 talks about bearing one another’s burdens.
This is that in action.
When The Door Was Blocked… They Changed The Approach
“…they could not find by what way… because of the multitude…”
There’s resistance.
The crowd blocks the obvious path.
Now this is the moment where most people stop.
Too hard. Too crowded. Maybe another time.
But not these men.
They don’t change the goal. They change the method.
They Went Up… To Come Down
“…they went upon the housetop, and let him down…”
This is bold.
Uncomfortable. Messy. Public.
They tear open a roof to get him to Jesus.
Faith here isn’t quiet.
It’s determined.
It refuses to be stopped by obstacles.
That’s not what many expect faith to look like, is it?
Jesus Saw Their Faith
“And when he saw their faith…”
Faith isn’t just internal here.
It’s visible.
You can see it in what they do.
Not just what they say.
James 2:17 says faith without works is dead.
This is living faith.
It acts.
The First Thing Jesus Addresses
“…Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
This might feel unexpected.
They came for physical healing.
Jesus starts with forgiveness.
Why?
Because He’s dealing with the whole person.
Sin and sickness are both part of the fallen condition.
And Jesus has authority over both.
He’s not ignoring the body.
He’s going deeper first.
The Resistance Wasn’t Outside… It Was In The Room
“…the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason…”
While faith is breaking through the roof…
Unbelief is sitting in the room.
Silent. Critical. Questioning.
This matters.
Because what’s around you can either support faith or resist it.
But notice this.
Their unbelief doesn’t stop the miracle.
Authority Over Both Sin And Sickness
“…that ye may know that the Son of man hath power…”
Jesus connects the two.
If He can forgive sin, He can heal the body.
Same authority. Same source.
So healing isn’t separate from salvation.
It flows from the same place.
Isaiah 53:5 speaks of both being carried.
The Command Requires A Response
“I say unto thee, Arise…”
Now comes the moment.
The man is still lying there.
Jesus speaks.
But the man has to respond.
Stand up. Take the bed. Walk.
That takes trust.
Because he has to move before he sees full proof.
Do you notice that?
Immediate Change
“And immediately he rose up…”
No delay again.
Immediate response to the command.
And he doesn’t leave quietly.
He glorifies God.
The miracle becomes a testimony.
What Was Actually Happening Here
Jesus is teaching.
Religious leaders are present.
The house is full.
And right in the middle of that…
Faith interrupts the normal flow.
This wasn’t a scheduled healing moment.
It was created by determined faith.
So healing isn’t just about timing.
It’s about response.
Scripture Confirms This Pattern
Mark 2 records the same event and highlights their persistence.
Hebrews 11:6 says faith is required to please God.
James 5:15 says the prayer of faith shall save the sick.
So again, faith and action move together.
The Internal Tension You Might Feel
This is where it gets honest.
Because you’ve believed before.
But maybe you stopped pushing.
You tried. It didn’t work. So you backed off.
You told yourself you were being realistic.
But deep down, something went quiet.
Less expectation. Less boldness.
Is that what’s happened?
Do you feel like you’ve been waiting for something to open… instead of finding another way?
What This Is Calling You Into
This passage isn’t asking for perfect conditions.
It’s showing persistent faith.
Bring the situation to Jesus.
And if something blocks the way, don’t stop.
Adjust. Press through. Stay focused.
Speak what He says.
Respond when He speaks.
Even if it feels uncomfortable.
Even if it doesn’t look easy.
So in your situation right now…
what would it look like to stop waiting for the perfect opening and start making a way toward Him?
Closing Thought
The power was present.
But it was the ones who moved in faith that stepped into it.
So the real question is…
Are you waiting for things to line up, or are you willing to do whatever it takes to get your situation in front of Him?
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
